B6366 - Marine Propulsion

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the tools for selecting, evaluating, and designing the most common propulsion systems used in the nautical field. At the end of the module, students will be able to select and design the most suitable propulsion system for the considered nautical application, taking into account performance, efficiency, and emissions factors.

Course contents

The most commonly used prime movers in naval propulsion. Internal combustion engines: operating diagrams of two-stroke and four-stroke engines, design and operation of marine diesel engines. Fuels and pollutant emissions.

Gas turbines: architectures, performance, and operating diagrams.

Waterjets: working principle, fundamental equations of waterjet propulsion, performance, and operating diagrams.

Propellers, principles of operation, performance, and characteristic diagrams. Fixed pitch and controllable pitch propellers.

Matching between prime mover and propulsive element: selection of the size of the propulsor and the prime mover based on the ship's tonnage and operating condition.

Electric propulsion. Principles of electric propulsion. Main components: generators, motors, batteries, inverters.

Innovations and sustainable hybrid propulsion technologies.

Hydrogen propulsion

Solar energy propulsion systems

Use of biofuels and alternative fuels

Modeling the propulsion system in Simulink Diesel engine, diesel-electric, gas turbine, Fuel Cell, propeller, vessel.

Propulsion Control. Review of control systems.

Architecture of the propulsion control system. Control of propeller speed/ship speed.

Readings/Bibliography

Hans Klein Woud and Douwe Stapersma. Design of Propulsion and Electric Power Generation Systems. IMarEST 2019. ISBN: 9781856098496

Michele Martelli. Marine Propulsion Simulation, Methods and Results. 2015, De Gruyter Open Poland [https://www.degruyter.com/search?query=*&publisherFacet=De+Gruyter] . ISBN: 9783110401493

John Carlton. Marine Propellers and Propulsion. 2018, Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN: 9780081003664

T. I. Fossen (2021). Handbook of Marine Craft Hydrodynamics and Motion Control. 2nd. Edition, Wiley. ISBN-13: 978-1119575054

Teaching methods

The lessons are conducted face-to-face in the classroom. Instead of a traditional blackboard, the teacher uses a tablet connected to a projector to develop concepts and display supporting teaching material. At the end of the lesson, the teacher provides the projected material in a PDF file, which can be downloaded from the "Virtuale" platform.

The lesson is also video recorded and made available to students with a 2-week delay, also through the "Virtuale" platform.

Attendance is highly recommended for better understanding of the concepts and knowledge, but it does not affect the final evaluation process.

Assessment methods

The exam will be held at the end of the teaching according to the official exam schedule.

Verification of learning involves an oral test.

This test consists of a discussion of 3 questions, two on theoretical topics, one on the modeling part, aimed at testing understanding and application of the course content.

The assessment indicators of the test are:

- Ability to use knowledge (25 percent)

- Ability to connect knowledge (25 percent);

- Mastery of technical language (15 percent);

- Ability to discuss arguments (20 percent)

- Ability to explore topics in depth (15 percent)

The evaluation of the oral test is expressed in thirtieths (a score higher than 30 results in the grade: 30 cum laude).

The test is considered passed if the score is at least sufficient (18/30).

Teaching tools

The course will be conducted using:

• Slides and audiovisual aids

Office hours

See the website of Davide Moro

See the website of Vittorio Ravaglioli